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MPH 601 Behavioral and Social Aspects of Public Health*

Credits:

4

Learn how to influence behavior for positive change.

Format: OnlineDuration: 8 weeks

Our own behavior, whether it is physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, influences our health. In MPH 601 Behavioral and Social Aspects of Public Health, you will discover the broad range of factors that can determine whether our choices are helpful or harmful to our health.

The course enhances learning engagement through its use of various multimedia elements, such as entertaining video content, and shows you how innovative thinking is changing behaviors, health outcomes and reaches diverse populations in fresh, even fun ways.

You’ll also explore social networking and learn ways to use new media to unite communities and increase awareness about health issues, environmental conditions and policy issues. Week after week, you’ll participate in challenging discussions with your professor and fellow students, applying theories and research findings to a variety of public health situations.

As populations grow, knowing how to understand and influence behavior is more important than ever. As a health care professional, you’ll have the knowledge to make a positive difference.

What You’ll Learn in MPH 601

This course addresses behavioral and social factors and theories related to individual and population health. Topics include the socio-determinants of health; the national priority health goals, progress and challenges; and the interrelationships between health behavior theory, research and practice.

The influence of social networks is also explored, emphasizing Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Social Network Theory. The role of community organization for chronic diseases prevention is also identified. Discussion groups are an important element of this course, and allow you and your classmates to put learned theories into practice.

Course Topics

Throughout this course, weekly topics may include but are not limited to the following:

Introduction to Health Behavior

Individual Health Behavior

The Impact of Social Interactions on Health

Community-Level Theories

New Media and Health Care

From Theory to Practice

Chronic Disease Interventions

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of MPH 601 Behavioral and Social Aspects of Public Health, you will be able to:

Apply basic theories, concepts and models from a range of social and behavioral disciplines that are used in public health research and practice.

Analyze the causes of social and behavioral factors that affect health of individuals and populations.

Evaluate a public health intervention using a systematic, evidence-based approach.